Static Analysis of Pulse-Width Pulse-Frequency Modulator Based on Analytical and Numerical Solutions

Abstract

In this study, the preferred regions of Pulse-Width Pulse-Frequency Modulator (PWPFM) are obtained analytically for the static analysis. For this purpose, a comprehensive parametric study is carried out based on the two performance indices of fuel consumption and the number of thruster firings. The preferred regions are presented by normalized relations and curves. Moreover, the exact analytical solutions of the two performance indices are obtained for a class of modulators with the assumption of constant inputs. The advantages of the present study are non dimensional analysis and obtaining the preferred regions in terms of each others, resulting in more accurate regions as opposed to inequality relations using constant values for a specified input signal. In addition, in the case of specified minimum pulse width (having the update frequency and thruster time constant), determining the preferred regions becomes more limited. In this regard, useful relations and curves based on the maximum possible value for the number of the thruster firings are derived and presented.

Keywords

• satellite attitude control
• on-off thrusters
• pulse-width pulse-frequency modulator
• pseudo-rate modulator
• static analysis